The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers have changed the face of projecting naval power in the modern era. As they are the first new carrier design since the U.S. Navy’s last one more than four decades ago, they are a leap of a generation in technology, effectiveness, and fighting capability—a quantum leap that sets a whole new warship design standard.
At the forefront of this advance is a set of new systems. The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) replaces the traditional steam catapults, offering smoother, more precise launches for the full range from heavy strike fighters to light drones.
With the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) as well, these systems can recover and launch aircraft weights and types, enabling faster turnaround times and more daily flight operations. The redesigned flight deck—its downsized, moved island and combined refueling stations—is also reducing aircraft flow, congestion, and improving safety in high-tempo operations.
Yet another step forward is below with the advanced weapons elevators (AWEs). Electromagnetic propulsion and smart sensors drive them at a pace never imagined—about 50% higher than the Nimitz-class carriers, and twice the size. By bringing ordnance below deck, the Ford-class has much-needed space on top, adding to safety and workflow on mission combat.
The Ford-class has already proven its value in operational deployments. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completed its first operational deployment, operating with allied navies and supporting more than 10,000 aircraft sorties.
It also successfully finished the Navy’s demanding Full Ship Shock Trials, enduring three massive underwater explosions of 40,000 pounds each without losing operational capability—a testament to the ship’s ruggedness and the crew’s training.
Though larger than the ships that it will replace, the Ford-class has a reduced crew—500 to 900 fewer sailors—because it is more automated with smarter systems. Not only does this lower manpower needs but also maintenance needs by around 30%, lowering projected lifetime operating costs by some $4 billion per ship over its 50-year lifespan.
All this is achieved without sacrificing power: the Ford-class can generate as many as 160 sorties daily and peak at 220 in heavy combat, outperforming the capabilities of earlier carriers.
Naturally, all this advancement is not without its adversity. EMALS and AAG both suffered reliability issues initially, not quite meeting their expected performance levels in early testing. Repairs could potentially be time-consuming because the systems are integrated in the sense that it is difficult to segregate problems with flight operations being performed. These difficulties were welcomed with scoffing, especially from individuals more familiar with the proven track record of reliability provided by steam catapults.
Cost has also been a point of contention. At a cost of nearly $13 billion per ship, not including research and development, there has been speculation as to whether the Navy should be spending that amount on more ships but smaller ones. However, the Ford-class remains the cornerstone of U.S. maritime supremacy in the decades to come, and its unmatched capabilities keep it at the epicenter of American strategy on the seas.
In the end, the Ford-class is not just the future of carrier technology’s a platform designed for flexibility, for efficiency, and for dominance. Its cutting-edge systems, survivability, and interoperability with allied militaries ensure that it will be a dominant presence in securing maritime interests for years to come. As many have said within the Navy, the ship is not just a ship—it’s a statement of what American engineering, ingenuity, and determination can accomplish.